Sure is a fine line!
But if we want comment and opinions from coaches, we won't like it all, it is a brave new world
Wallabies 31 Man Squad
- Thread starter Bowside
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But if we want comment and opinions from coaches, we won't like it all, it is a brave new world
THIS is the openside breakaway's bread and butter. Backrowers scoring tries is the cream and jam.
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
yeah but in how many minutes?
Scotty
David Codey (61)
My view on Cooper's issues:
Defense - I think it is now equivalent to a Larkham or Merhtens. It isn't awesome, but it isn't a reason not to select him.
Running - I agree he does take on the line enough at times. He needs to find the balance better here - his running is a lot better from the fullback position. However I would prefer a fly half that edges towards passing over running and kicking (JOC (James O'Connor) and Barnes respectively).
Passing - sometimes the reds and cooper play too flat and this leads to turnovers an forward passes. It is more likely to come off playing the ball this close to the line, but it is also living on the edge.
If Deans wants a conservative and direct 10 we could do worse than using Cooper at 15 to spark counter attack and run wider with more space. His work in the wider channel outside Giteau a few years ago was very good.
Pfitzy
George Gregan (70)
Lost me right there. Can't take you seriously when you make comments like that.
That is true however it's not like Hooper did nothing at the breakdown. The foxsports stats credit Hooper with one pilfer and one penalty conceded versus Smith's two turnovers created and three penalties conceded.
I think Hooper had a much bigger impact on the game than Smith did. Compared to the game in Canberra, Smith was very quiet prior to his injury.
Hooper played 80, Smith played 60.
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
You'd hope that Pulver caught up with Deans at the Beuna Vista last night and told him that its not really on to criticise the form of unpicked by players in public by reference to, and blaming the form of, other unpicked players.
In fact it would be a bloody odd way to tell Taps to his face: "Look mate you were close but that c*** inside you cost you a spot: you realise he's holding you back?"
Why doesnt Deans just pour a bucket on all the unpicked players - Ralph Magazine (is that still going?) could make it their cover story.
Scotty
David Codey (61)
I think you are forgetting how many games Larkham played with one arm and struggled to make tackles.
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
I'm losing my marbles - i thought Smith went off just before half time: at least the games seem to be lasting longer, I guess. Edit: actually, i think that means the games are going quicker.
Maybe you were traumatised by TPN's floppy forearm.
I like to watch
David Codey (61)
He misses more tackles due to his positioning before contact than anything IMO.
The one last week against the 9 being a good example.Had he tracked on a flatter line, he would have removed the step inside as an option for the 9. And he would not have needed to hit the brakes at all.
He's not the only one, KB (Kurtley Beale) does not position the ball carrier where he wants him to be at contact either.
Bullrush
John Hipwell (52)
LOL....you're surely not being serious....
I like to watch
David Codey (61)
That's a long way from:
"Defense - I think it is now equivalent to a Larkham or Merhtens. It isn't awesome, but it isn't a reason not to select him."
I think a lot of the problem was that he almost goes in with a slide tackle where his feet are in front of his body and he's trying to collide his body with the ball carrier. The bad turf and van Zyl's stutter step meant that Cooper missed the tackle.
If he'd been running at van Zyl with the goal of making a tackle round the waist leading with his shoulder I think he is far less likely to fall over.
Gnostic
Mark Ella (57)
There'll be plenty of penalties and free kicks if the Lineout is under the pressure I expect from the probable selection of Timani. The balance is just all wrong with regard to a holistic game plan. I honestly don't believe he would be getting the game time at the Tahs if there was another specialist lock at the Tahs this year for these very reasons, even so you will note that Timani is not used in the limited fashion for the Tahs that he has been employed in at the Wallabies. The selections have to be balanced with tactics.
Finally BDA the snide comment about "should we even bother to turn up" goes in the basket with the "just get behind the team and show some support". It is blind, unthinking patriotism only and comments such as that attempt to appeal to the base emotions of the reader to limit the debate and comment so that some hard truths are not spoken. I would direct you to the interview with Michael Chieka recently published, were he talks about many in Australian Rugby being unable to handle being told the truth, perhaps it is why so many of our good coaches and Rugby minds head overseas and do not coach here. Too much politically correct avoidance of giving offence by telling some uncomfortable truths.
Like most internet pundits, Hitler hasn't watched the last few rounds of Super Rugby.
ACT Crusader
Jim Lenehan (48)
Don't disagree with the tactics, but I think Deans will go for Hooper first up. Hooper is pretty good at hunting the ball and plus the fact that Hooper made every post a winner last year in his debut test season. I think incumbancy still means something, even for Deans.
Ignoto
Greg Davis (50)
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